Henmore Marketing blogshttp://henmore.co.uk/blog
enWork Life Balancehttp://henmore.co.uk/work-life-balance
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am pondering on work-life balance, prompted by a friend's question on Facebook. Here I am just back from a skiing holiday and about to go to my weekly art class so possibly I have the balance tipped in my favour just now! In favour of the 'life' element,that is, which is what most people want to enjoy more. My brother works in the hubub of the City of London and earns the dosh to buy his quality of life. I work to my own schedule for clients that I like, and therefore earn the time for our quality of life. We live frugally as a result. In my opinion, it shouldn't be called a Work:Life balance, but a Money:Time balance.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Usually the question of addressing work-life balance is asked because someone is stressed by work and not fitting in all they want in life and at home. So if the balance doesn't feel right, here are my thoughts on the subject.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reckon you have to focus on the 'life' element, unless changing the 'work' bit is an option and you can live with less money. But even if it is, and you can work less, most people, women in particular, have a habit of filling any spare 'life' time with extra burdens. Work on removing those burdens, which probably means shifting stuff onto other people - paid or unpaid. We waste enormous amounts of potentially enjoyable time shopping, cooking and cleaning. Take grocery shopping - does it bring you joy? If not then get your children to do the weekly shop online... sorted. Cleaning... get a cleaner, prep a family rota, and/or live with more dirt are all options. Think about how you spend your 'life time' and separate the burdens from the enjoyable bits. Maybe reassigning will cost you a little extra, but are you the only one in your family who cares? Is it worth the sacrifice of time and effort? Personally I quite like to nip into grocery shops after a gym trip, but it was a different story for our week's self-catering holiday, I did that online because I didn't want to interrupt family time on holiday.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you reassign as many burdens as possible you need to seriously think hard on this really, really important question... </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would bring you joy? </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then...</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do more of it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So as you go through your day, your week or your year, continually ask yourself "Does this bring me joy?" Look back over your week, or last year and remind yourself of the highlights and the low bits. What brought you joy? More of that is what you are aiming for! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you manage to get the family around the dinner table, try these conversational starters, with a hidden purpose. "What was the highlight of your day/week/year?" "What is your favourite activity in the whole world?" "What was your favourite holiday... and why?" "If we could do anything we wanted on Saturday, what would you choose?"</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And don't forget to answer these questions yourself!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I feel inspired I might write my thoughts on the 'work' bit, but not today as I need to finish things off before going to art class.</span></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-simplenews-term field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsletter/henmore-news-events" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Henmore news &amp; events</a></div></div></div>Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:42:37 +0000Catherine182 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/work-life-balance#commentsNetworking in Derbyshirehttp://henmore.co.uk/networking-derbyshire
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>MBCnetworking, often known as Matlock Business Club, has been running networking in Derbyshire for 10 years. We changed the name to mbcnetworking so that networking meetings appeal to people across the region not just from the local town. The meetings are now held in Cromford Mill, which is becoming a hub for small businesses with its fantastic Creative Cromford meeting and hotdesking space.<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></p>
<p>A lot of the networking in Derbyshire requires people to join and pay an annual subscription but MBCnetworking remains an open group with no ongoing commitment. Most of the meetings are in the morning, but sometimes there are lunch meetings and evening walks. Please sign up for the newsletter to receive invitations to our events. Book your place at any meeting using our online management tool.<br /></p>
<p>Please be assured that Henmore does not share any data with any other organisation so you can sign up for newsletters and events with confidence. Your privacy is important to us.<br /></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-simplenews-term field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsletter/mbcnetworking-cromford" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBCnetworking Cromford</a></div></div></div>Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:25:25 +0000Catherine171 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/networking-derbyshire#commentsGrants for Derbyshire tourism businesseshttp://henmore.co.uk/grants-derbyshire-tourism-businesses
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h3 style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Derbyshire County Council Sustainable Travel team - Capital funding for cycle facilities at tourism businesses</h3>
<p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Our speaker at MBC business group this week was Michael Reardon from Derbyshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel team. Michael told the group about capital funds available to improve cycle facilities at tourism businesses across Derbyshire.</p>
<p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Eligible businesses include bed and breakfasts, hotels and self catering establishments, as well as visitor attractions and other tourism based facilities.</p>
<p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Examples of typical projects that benefit from funding:</p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Cycle storage, including sheffield stands and shelters.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Associated cycle amenities, including storage lockers.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Improvements to gates and pathways, where appropriate.</span></li>
</ul><p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Other proposals with clear cycle-related benefits – especially those which encourage longer distance cycling leisure trips and overnight stays – will also be considered.</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">The funding is strictly limited, and available on a matched 50/50 basis.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">There's no specific closing date, nor any long application form - f</span><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">unds are available on a first come, first served basis</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Facilities could benefit both visitors and staff.</span></li>
</ul><div><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><br /></span></div>
<div><span style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">If you feel that your tourism business could benefit and would like to find out more, contact Michael:</span></div>
<p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><a href="mailto:Sustainable.travel@derbyshire.gov.uk">Sustainable.travel@derbyshire.gov.uk</a></p>
<p style="line-height: 20.0063037872314px;">Tel: 01629 538156</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-simplenews-term field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsletter/henmore-news-events" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Henmore news &amp; events</a></div></div></div>Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:03:42 +0000Catherine123 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/grants-derbyshire-tourism-businesses#commentsWhat next on social media?http://henmore.co.uk/what-next-social-media
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img style="float: right; border: 1px solid black;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Social_Logos_1.jpg" alt="" width="250" /></p>
<p>I sense there is going to be a significant social media change... the next big thing. What is it going to be? Tweeps are getting cured of their addiction, Facebook isn't changing much and if it did I'm not certain that people would change their use of it accordingly, Google+ is only just finding fascination in UK, and the other tools seem to me to be still quite niche.</p>
<p>Will it be one of the big players that revolutionises things - what is Microsoft up to? - or will a newbie appear with an unmissable product. Will Google, frankly, bully us into Goggle+ because of the impact on search engine rankings?</p>
<p>The trouble is the market is getting crowded and the users are suffering ennui. How many social media platforms can we bothered to put our energy into?</p>
<p>Are these the miserable musings of a rainy February morning or does anyone else agree with me? Nip to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/HenmoreMarketing">Facebook page</a> or <a href="google.com/+CatherineDoel">Google +</a> and post your thoughts or tweet to me on <a href="http://twitter.com/IdeasStrategies">@IdeasStrategies</a>. Consider this redirection to social media a test of my theory!</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-simplenews-term field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/newsletter/henmore-news-events" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Henmore news &amp; events</a></div></div></div>Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:54:45 +0000Catherine95 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/what-next-social-media#commentsLocal project - Staffordshire Moorlands business e-newshttp://henmore.co.uk/SMDC-news-email
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>June 2013: With our HQ based in the Staffordshire Moorlands we are pleased to be supporting Helen Pakpahan of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council with the creation of an e-newsletter for businesses. The first step in the project is creating a database of contacts to receive the first e-newsletter later this summer.</p>
<p>If your business is in the Staffordshire Moorlands and you would like to receive the SMDC e-news please contact us to add your name to the list.</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:21:02 +0000Catherine58 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/SMDC-news-email#commentsExpo event managementhttp://henmore.co.uk/expo-event-management
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The next time we say it would be a good idea to run an Expo in support of local businesses please remind us of the time commitment and responsibility. Thankfully Tuesday's MBCnetworking Expo event was cracking and good business was done by a number of the exhibitors and speakers. We are truly grateful to our speakers for giving up their time and freely offering their expertise to the delegates:</p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Chris Woodhouse spoke on his 6 top must have Cloud tools and applications.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Amanda Penman of Derbyshire's new magazine 'Artsbeat' (and former newspaper editor) gave her top tips on writing a successful press release</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Clare Manning explained what lies behind conflict and gave techniques to resolve issues in the workplace or home life.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Catherine Doel of Henmore gave an overview of ways to consider extending the use of the web to improve marketing and customer service</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Brock &amp; Morten were interviewed about their business experience to date. They are a new Derbyshire business producing top quality rapeseed oils.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Jim Harrison of Thornbridge Brewery led a team of 'Dragons' including Sarah McLeod, CE of Arkwright Society, Catherine Doel of Henmore Marketing, Gerry Loftus of NatWest, Duncan Wright of BSA Marketing. The Dragons commented on the current business growth challenges that were shared by Middle Mountains muesli business, Artsbeat Magazine, TradeWeb Technical Services e-commerce provider and Coleman Bradshaw accountants now offering Xero cloud accounting.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Sarah McLeod of Arkwright Society spoke over lunch about the enormous refurb project she is undertaking at Cromford Mills, part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Centre.</span></li>
</ul><p>Catherine Doel, Henmore Marketing, was the event manager on behalf of the business networking group MBCnetworking. The event was supported by Business Peak District and Arkwright Society and made possible by the organisations that paid for exhibition space and hospitality lunches at the Expo.</p>
<p> <img style="vertical-align: text-bottom; margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/IMG-20130521-00054.jpg" alt="Brock &amp; Morten - new business interview" height="200" /><img style="margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Derbyshire_Dales-20130521-00058.jpg" alt="Jim Harrison, Thornbridge Brewery" height="200" /><img style="margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Derbyshire_Dales-20130521-00057.jpg" alt="University of Derbyshire exhibitors" height="200" /></p>
<p><img style="margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Derbyshire_Dales-20130521-00056.jpg" alt="The Loaf, Crich, exhibitor" height="200" /><img style="margin: 15px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/MBC_2.jpg" alt="" height="100" /><img style="margin: 15px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Business_Peak_District.jpg" alt="" height="100" /><img style="margin: 15px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/Arkwright_Society_logo.jpg" alt="" height="100" /></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 24 May 2013 12:41:46 +0000Catherine55 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/expo-event-management#commentsAdvanced planning vs last minute?http://henmore.co.uk/advanced-planning-vs-last-minute
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>It is the day before the Expo at Cromford Mills and we are making final preparations. We have been taking bookings for lunch and exhibition space for the last couple of months and more recently delegate reservations for the tutorials. Thank goodness the world has a good number of organised people prepared to plan their time and make commitments. If it wasn't for you guys events like this would be cancelled for fear of lack of interest. Early on we were delighted to meet our targets for exhibition space sales, presumably by those with a J in their MBTI* preferences.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">From my MBTI training I recognise that I am in the group of people that does not naturally make that kind of time commitment and if I was a delegate I would be looking to keep my options open for as long as possible (for reference I am an ENTP). So I have been secretly amused by this morning's phone calls and the way the online booking form is buzzing with last minute action today. Other event organisers might find this last minute flurry of activity frustrating, but not this one. I was expecting people to be making last minute decisions and have absolutely no doubt that there will be people turning up tomorrow who haven't registered in advance. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">In fact I have just taken a break to check my emails, one of which sums up my point by adding a line beneath the signature "(ps sorry it's so late!)". </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Love or hate psychometric typing, are you taking into account all personality types in your marketing? We can review this with you at one of our 90 minute sessions - face to face or Skype. Please contact us on 01335 289075 for more details. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">*MBTI or Myers Briggs Type Indicator</span></p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 20 May 2013 14:18:38 +0000Catherine54 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/advanced-planning-vs-last-minute#commentsNetworking while walking on a nature reservehttp://henmore.co.uk/networking-while-walking-nature-reserve
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Tomorrow morning I am going 'netwalking' at RSPB Coombes Valley, near Leek, with fellow business women. If anyone would like to join us please let me know or register online via the events calendar. I am looking forward to this networking event because it is bringing together two businesses that I work in - Henmore Marketing and Waymark Interpretation.</p>
<p><img style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/WiRE_snip.JPG" alt="" width="127" height="57.5" />Wearing my Henmore hat I am a member of WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) who asked for a 'netwalk', or networking walk, to be added to their programme of activities and for me to help organise it.</p>
<p><img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/sites/default/files/images/ChurnetSymbols2.png" alt="" width="106.2" height="52.2" />As a Waymark team member I am currently working on the interpretation project for Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership, a collaboration between a number of partner organisations, including tomorrow's hosts RSPB Coombes Valley. This <span style="line-height: 1.538em;">programme </span><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">of projects</span><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">, awarded £1.89m by</span><span style="line-height: 1.538em;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to conserve and enhance the landscape and heritage of the Churnet Valley area. Waymark's role is about telling the stories of the valley and engaging people in the work of the projects that are protecting its unique features. So what better way to connect a set of local people with this special landscape than to arrange for them to walk in a nature reserve as they work on their businesses? Hopefully this will be an excellent morning's work for everyone... fingers crossed for a sunny day.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Fore more information on the format and arrangements of the day - <a href="http://henmore.co.uk/wire-womens-net-walk-rspb-coombes-valley">netwalking with WiRE</a></span></p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:42:15 +0000Catherine48 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/networking-while-walking-nature-reserve#commentsHow to be a good networkerhttp://henmore.co.uk/how-be-good-networker
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="western"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">As a facilitator of </span><a style="line-height: 1.538em;" href="/MBCnetworking">MBCnetworking</a><span style="line-height: 1.538em;"> and attendee at various groups over the years I have observed many people’s approach to networking and I s</span><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">hare with you a few thoughts on the subject:</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Attend with an open mind, go with the flow. Some people seem to judge an event by the number of business cards they collected. That is not my evaluation criterion; I prefer the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation which can be achieved if there are 5 or 50 people in the room. Sometimes it works better if there are only five - maybe people just relax a bit more.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Be friendly – you would think this would be obvious! Be friendly even to your competitors. I’ve witnessed some horror stories of people slinging some mud at their competitors (worse still dissing them in the one minute slot). Don’t go there . . .</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">As an extrovert, I have to remind myself that some powerful business people are not necessarily natural networkers, so don’t overlook those looking on from the sidelines. </span>If you are also an extrovert be open and welcome people into your conversations. If you struggle in this environment my tip is to look for two people with a wide gap between them and slot yourself into that gap, reminding yourself that they will be greatful you've arrived.</li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Stay calm. If you spot an influential business person please don’t start fawning. I’ve seen this happen and it is awkward.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Allow yourself or others to move on. Some people will monopolise you so be kind to yourself, and to them, and move them on to someone else or request permission to continue networking in the room. And don't take it personally if others want to circulate.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Judge whether to hand out your business card. Consider what you do with business cards when you receive them. I'm guessing you add them to an email marketing list unless the exchange of cards was made with a particular purpose in mind.</span></li>
</ul><p class="western">The last two points are my personal favourite and I single them out as a gentle reminder that your network of contacts is not just a place to push your own wares.</p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Introduce people within and across your networks – be the real-life face-to-face version of LinkedIn and Facebook whenever you can. You are part of a community.</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Contribute to this community and help others in your group. There are so many ways that businesses can support each other, what do you do?</span></li>
</ul><p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;"><br /></span></p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:17:37 +0000Catherine40 at http://henmore.co.ukhttp://henmore.co.uk/how-be-good-networker#comments